Middle Eastern Lentil Soup (Shorabet Adas)
This classic Middle Eastern lentil soup is also known as shorabet adas. It is incredible how a few simple ingredients make such a phenomenal dish. This soup is vegan, naturally gluten-free, and super easy to prepare. My mom often made this or freekeh soup, especially during Ramadan growing up. I now do the same for my family. It has such great flavor and a smooth velvety texture. We love to serve this with crispy pita chips and a fresh squeeze of lemon.
Almost every region has its own take on this lentil soup. Some may add potatoes; others may prefer it porridge-like. There is no right or wrong. However, this is the way my Palestinian family has always made it and enjoyed it. All you need are a few basic ingredients and seasonings and you will have a delicious soup ready in no time.
What lentils are used in this Middle Eastern Lentil Soup?
For this soup, red lentils are used instead of the brown or green variety. This gives it its traditional taste and color, unlike other lentils, which have a different texture, taste, and longer cooking time. You can find red lentils in almost any market especially ethnic grocery stores.
How is this soup served?
Typically, this is served with fresh lemon wedges and pita chips. The pita chips offer a crispy textural component to the dish, making it more hearty. You can see how I make homemade baked pita chips in my fatteh recipe. This would be added before serving, so it doesn’t get soggy. The fresh lemon should also be squeezed over the top to your liking just before serving. I enjoy lots of lemon with this soup because of its acidity and freshness.
Red Pepper Soup from my friend Amina’s blog
Let me know what you think of this Middle Eastern red lentil soup when you give this recipe a try by leaving a rating and review below!
Creamy Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Red Lentils
- 6 cups Water or Vegetable stock
- 1 Bouillon Cube
- 1 cup Carrots chopped
- 1 Onion chopped
- 2 Garlic cloves chopped
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
What to serve this soup with:
- Lemon wedges
- Pita chips
Instructions
- In a pot, add the olive oil. To that, add the onions, garlic, and carrots. Add salt and pepper to this and then saute for 5 minutes until fragrant.
- To that, add the lentils and saute for a few minutes. Season with the cumin, turmeric, and crushed bouillon cube. Mix together.
- Add the cooking liquid and bring this mixture to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, bring down to a simmer. Let this cook for about 25 minutes until the carrots are tender.
- Once tender, use an immersion blender to puree this soup until creamy. If you do not have an immersion blender, then pour the contents of the soup into a regular blender for a minute until smooth.
- Enjoy with crispy pita chips and fresh lemon juice!
One of the best lentil soup recipes I’ve tried! Super simple and the soup comes out very flavorful. Thanks Fufu!
My pleasure!
I am not a lentil soup fan, but my husband requested it for Ramadan. I used this recipe from your e-book and I actually love the soup!! I think it’s the mix of carrots, but either way, it’s a hit with the husband and a lentil soup I truly enjoy. I also love how easy it is to make!
My hubby loves shorabet adas, but I growing up I thought it tasted like paper lol. But in adulthood I have grown to like it. My hubby is sick and I thought is giving making it a try. This recipe is super easy to follow and the soup tasted great. I’m definitely making this again.
One of my favorite soups to make. This recipe has never failed me, It comes out delicious every time.
Looks amazing . Can’t wait to try. May I ask if it is possible to cook the soup without the bouillon cube?
Hi, yes you can just make sure to salt it!
Making it second time today, i did not have boullion, so i added half a cube chicken stock and half teaspoon 7 spices. Thank youu! Tastes good
Awesome! Great substitutions!
I love this recipe so much!
Made this tonight, with chicken stock instead of vegetable stock. Absolutely delicious, will definitely make again in the future!
So happy you enjoyed the soup, Abby!
Really delicious and easy soup to make!! Did not take me longer than 30 minutes to make 🙂
So delicious and so easy. A perfect weeknight meal.
I made this tonight! Perfect for a cold Monday night. Lots of flavour and no ingredients I don’t already have in the pantry or freezer.
If I want to double the recipe do I add 3 cups of addas, 12 cups of stock ? Ty
This is my comfort soup recipe, so good and comes out amazing every time
This soup is delicious! It’s also the only soup my 6 year old likes. It’s such a quick and simple recipe
That’s awesome. It is a favorite in our household too!
I haven’t tried lentil soup let alone make it before this and omg!!! It was so delicious and so easy to whip up. Such an amazing and hearty starter! My husband and I loved this recipe!
Thanks so much, Khadija!
Amazing recipe! So so simple yet really flavoursome and delicious. Will definitely come back to this one again and again inshaAllah!
Thanks so much, Zahidah